Question by Emily Nicholas ’26: How can Stetson help further my career? 

Dear Reader,

Stetson offers a variety of resources to help set you on a path to a successful career! Most notably, our Career and Professional Development office, which is located on the second floor of  the Rinker Welcome Center. Here you will find a comprehensive range of services to aid you in your career journey. For example, the Career Peers provide personalized resume review sessions to help you tailor your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile for job applications. The Career Office also offers interview practice sessions to enhance your confidence and communication skills when facing potential employers, as well as one-on-one meetings with experienced supervisors who will provide valuable insights to your career or internship search. And, if you happen to visit the CPD office, you may even find me sitting at the front desk, asking if I can help you find anything.

My second recommendation would be to take advantage of the unique privileges that come from attending a small university like Stetson. Get to know your professors, go to office hours, and never shy away from asking for help. Establishing these relationships early on can be extremely beneficial, especially if they teach courses in your desired career field. It is never too early to begin building connections and securing potential references.

With the support of our faculty and the resources available to Stetson students, every Hatter is set up to achieve their individual career goals. Embrace your opportunities and make the most of your time at Stetson!

• Abby Denton ’26

Question by Abby Luck ’27: What are the best ways to utilize all that Stetson has to offer?

Dear Reader,

Being a college student can feel like a one-track mission where the only goal is securing the job of your dreams, and there’s plenty of resources from Stetson to help you get there (See Abby’s fabulous response). My additional advice is to not limit yourself to checking off the boxes leading up to employment, throw yourself into at least a few truly random opportunities or events. For one semester I received the J.J. Master Center Professionalism Certificate with the School of Business. In the end I decided a job in marketing wasn’t for me, but I’m grateful to learn that during college rather than after, and I met some amazing people in the program!

Some good places to keep an eye out for these types of events are Instagram (Go ahead and follow Stetson clubs and organizations, even the ones you aren’t in). Keep an eye on the Cultural Credits calendar. Most importantly, skim the daily “Stetson News” email. I can’t even count all the fantastic trips, scholarships, or volunteer opportunities that go almost unnoticed in those emails!

• Carlye Mahler ’24

Question by Bella Parker ’27: What are the benefits of being a graduate/donor of/to Stetson University? 

Dear Reader, 

After donning your cap and gown, walking across the green-decorated stage, and tossing your hat into the air, your final moments at Stetson will come to an end. Whether you’re moving on to graduate school, starting a new job, or even taking a gap year, the endless amounts of assignments and emails from financial aid have officially left your schedule. Though, that doesn’t mean it stops for the rest of the students working their way through undergrad. Many students are working in addition to their full-time studies at Stetson, and that’s where donor scholarships come in. 

If a Stetson alumni chooses to donate to their alma mater, this will ensure that more students have the same access to their education just as they did when they were a student themselves. However, this act of philanthropy isn’t just a one-way street. Stetson alums will also receive tax deductions, like any donor who decides to contribute monetarily to a university. So, alums will ultimately have a way to stay connected to their alma mater, and at the same time, help out their fresh-out-of-college selves in the real world. 

Alis Cadena ’26